Knit-goods-finishing machine.



J. WILSON.

KNIT GOODS FINISHING MACHINE. APPLlcAloN FILED MAn.20,191-1. BENI-:wen FEB.111.1916.

111761803. Patented Mar. 28, 1916.

8 SHEETS-SHEET l.

lll

I. WILSON.

KN-IT GOODS FINISHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 20. I9I4. IIENEWED FEB. II. Isle.

1,176,803. i Patented Mar. 28, 1916.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

I. WILSON.

KNIT GOODS FINISHING MACHINE, APPLlcA'TloN FILED MAR. 20. |914. RENEwED FEB. u. 191s.

Patented Mar. 28, 1916.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

y -Z AI" 1. WILSON.

KNIT GOODS FINISHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 20. I9I4. IIENEWED IEB. II, I9|6.

l 175,803 Patented Mar. 28, 1916.

B SHEETS-SHEEI 4.

wil/meson I l W MZ; V M i7 I Y THE COLUMBIA PLANUGRA'PH Co-WASHINu-IUN. D. c.

Patented Mar. 28, 1916.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

THE CGLUMHIA PLANOGRAPH co.. WASHINGTON. D. c.

J. WILSON.

` KNIT GOODS FINISHING-MACHINE. APPLICATION mio MAmzo. 1914. RENEW-:D FEB. 11,1916.

Patented Mar. 28,

M .w W

@MMM

l1! Il.

"'"llll (Hill Il Glpi/human THE CDLUMBIA FLANOGRAPH co., WASHINGTON, D. c.

l .1. WILSON. KNIT GOODS FINSHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 20. 1914- RENEWED FEB. il', 1916.

1176,03.v vPatented Mar. 28, 1916.

8 SHEETS-SHEET JAMES WILSON, F MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, WORKS, `Olli MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A

Y KNIT-GooiJs-rinisniive MACHINE.

Application led March 20, 1914, Serial No. 826,023.

To all ifi/0m it may concern.' v

Be it known that I, J AMES WILSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Milwaukee, county of Milwaukee, and State of lvisconsin. have invented new and useful Improvements in Knit-Goods-Finishing Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in knit goods finishing machines.

The object of my invention is to provide means whereby a round knitted or tubular fabric may be supported, gathered at its upper end, and stitched to form a completed article, such as a stocking cap, the operation being entirely automatic after the adjustment of the tubular fabric upon the `fabric holder of the machine lIn the drawings- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a finishing machine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the frame, the table and driving mechanism. Fig. 3 is a view of the parts shown in Fig.

2, reversed, the table being shown in cross` section. Fig. 4C is a detail longitudinal sectional view, drawn through a central portion of' the cap holder, and omitting all of the supporting and gathering fingers except one of each at each side. Fig. 5 is a planview of a portion of the table showing the cap holder and adjusting mechanism. Fig. 6 is a. view of the under side of 'the table. Fig. 7 is a top `view of the sewing head. Fig.

4 8 is a detail view of the thread gripper. F ig.

9 is a view of the sewing head with the top plate and gripper removed. Fig. 10 is a detail sectional View of a portion of the transmission mechanism. Fig. 11, (Sheet 3) is a detail view of the connection between' rod 11 and clutch controlling lever 12, the

connecting pin being shown in section.

Like parts are identified by the same reference characters throughout the several l views.

A table 1 is supported by legs 2 and carries suitable bearings for a shaft 3, upon which the driving pulley l is mounted. A shifting clut-chinember 5 isV employed to connect this driving pulley with the shaft 3. The clutch is preferably a spring actuated clutch of ordinary type, which is held in inoperative position by a swinging controlling mechanism.` To permitthe clutch `to operate, the operator depresses a treadle 10,"which transmits motion through con- Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 23, 1916. Renewed February 11, 1916. Serial No. 77,792.

necting rod 11, arm 12, and oscillatory shaft 13 to move controlling lever 14 to a raised or clutch releasing position. kThese parts may so far as this releasing function is concerned, be of any ordinary construction and do not require further detailed description. It will be observed/however, that the rod 11 is not pivoted to arm 12 in an ordinary manner, but is provided with a yoke 15, having a large aperture 16 and a notch at 17 to receive the connecting pin 18 projecting from arm 12. The pin 18 normally engages in notch 17, but when rod 11 is pushed backwardly at its upper end, the pin will be released froni said notch, and the arm 12 and lever `let will then be depressed to clutch releasing position by a spring 19. This enables me to provide for automatically stopping the machine after a predetermined period of operation as hereinafter described, even though the operator maintains pressure upon the treadle.

rThe machine illustrated in the drawings is particularly designed for finishing stocking caps which are rst knitted in tubular forni and then gathered at their upper ends and stitched to hold the margins in gathered relation. To facilitate description, it is briefly stated thata set of cap holding iingers 20 are employed in connection with aset of gathering fingers to support the uncompleted cap or tubular fabric and gather it at the top end preparatory to the stitching operation. The fingers 20 are adjusted to gathered position and the uncom-A pleted cap is adjusted over the converging ends of these fingers 2O during a period when the upper ends of the gathering fingers 35 are spread or tilted outwardly on all sides from the central axis. After the uncompleted cap (hereinafter termed the stock) has been adjusted over the lingers 2O and drawn downwardly over said ngers until the upper margin-of the stock Vhas nearly reached their extremities, said fingers 20 are spread or swung outwardly upon their supporting pivot pins 21 so far as thestock will permit, thus expanding the stock and holding it in the position to which it has been adjusted. Thereupon the gather- -ing fingers 35 are swung inwardly from being thus again adjusted to gathered position, as illustrated in Figs. 1, 4 and 5. The swinging sewing head 100 is then moved over the stock and the upper extremity thereof additionally gathered by a set of divergent wings or gathering armsV 114 and 115, (see Fig. 7) after which a sewing needle 116 (Fig. 9) is operated to stitch the gathered portion of the stock.

The parts of the machine will now be described in detail. The Stoa/c supporting cmd gathering yw gers-(Figs. 1, 4 and 5.)-A supporting ring v16` is suspended from the table 1 by a pair of brackets 17 and point bearing members or screws 18', (Fig. 6), which pass through the brackets and engage in suitable ring sockets, whereby the ring is permitted to oscillate upon said bearing members. carrier ring 24 is rotatably mounted in the supporting ring 16 and athird or actuating ring 22 is in friction bearing relationto the carrier ring 24. The ring 24 is preferably elbowed in cross section and formed to interlock with the ring 22, the latterbeing supported, and its frictional pressure regulated by bolts or screws 25 carried by ring 24 and washers 26, which extend underneath the ring 22 as clearly shown in Fig. 4. The holding and gathering lingers and all actuating parts directly connected therewith, are supported from ring 24 and the tilting movement of this ring permitted by the point bearing members 18', allows a slight movement of accommodation to the lateral pressure of the sewing head which swings into and out of operative position as here inafter explained.

vThe table 1 is provided with an aperture 27 and the gathering fingers 35 extend through this aperture and are pivoted at 34 to a supporting plate 3?, which is mounted upon the rotatable rino' 24 with which it is connected byarms 28. The pivot pins 34 of the gathering iingers'extend through ears 38 on. the plate 37V and pivotally connect said ears with clamping members 39, which embrace the respective gathering fingers 35 and ty i) standard 30.

are secured thereto by clamping set screws 40.

The'plate 37 is provided with an upwardly extending centrally disposed tubular A. loosesleeve 31 encircles the upper part of standard and is provided with a cap 32. A collar 33 also loosely encircles sleeve 31. This collar is recessed to partially receive the lower end portions of the fingers 20, which are pivotally connected therewith at 21. The connecting means may comprise a wire ring secured to the member 33, preferably at the under side thereof.

The fingers 20 are provided at the lower ends with inwardly projecting lips Y yas adapted to be engaged by shifter flanges 46 and 47 on the sleeve 31. Therefore a relative upward or downward movement of sleeve '31 may be transmitted through these shifter iia-nges 46 or 47 and the engaged lips f 45 to the vstock supporting fingers 20. A relative upward movement of sleeve 31 will cause the stock supporting lingers 2O to move outwardly, and when said fingers are moved inwardly, the sleeve 31 will be drawn downwardly.

A disk 50 is loosely mounted upon the tubular standard 30 underneath the lingers 20. Said fingers bear upon the outer or marginal portion of lthe disk 50 at points 51 exterior to the pivotal connection of the lingers with the collar 33.` The lower extremities of the. fingers j 20` extend downwardly below the pivot 21 on the outer side, as shown at 51, and bear upon the disk at points below the lips 45. The downward movement of the disk 50 is limited by a with a reduced portion 54, which extendsA through plate 37 for a purpose hereinafter Y explained. Y

A compression spring 55, interposed between the cap` 32 and collar 33 tends to lift the cap and depress the collar. The upward movement of the cap 32 carries with it sleeve 31 and this tends to spread-thel iingers 2O as above explained, since the flange 46 pulls upwardly on the finger lips 45. On the other hand, the downward pressure Vof collar 33 upon the pivot pin or wirel 21 tends to cause the fingers 20V tovmove in-v wardly to the positionshown in F ig. 4, the bearing points 51 serving as fulcrums; but since the pins 21 are between the fulerums 51 and the engaged extremities of the lips 45, the upward pull of flange 46 upon the lips 45normally overcomesV the downward pressure upon pins v21 and tends to spread the fingers 2O by lifting pins 21 and collar Y 33, and allowing theA contacting extremities 51'to draw inwardly upondisk 50. The fingers 2O will Atherefore spread unless other means are employed to holdthem in theV gathered position shown in F ig. 4. Y

When the gathering fingers 35 are in gathered position, the lingers 20 will also be held in the gathered position vby the gathering rods4 36, and when. the fingers 35 are spread as hereinafter explained, the fingers 2O will also tend to automaticallyT move to the spread position under the pressure of spring 30, as above explained.- But they may be independently gathered 'for the purpose of receiving the stock, and this'independent gathering movement is .derived from a foot treadle 60. When the operator is ready to apply the stock to the holding the motion of the treadle istransmitted to the fingers through the rod 61, sliding post 62, cross pin 63,; collar 64 and disk 50.` This operation will only occur,'however, attimes when cross pin 90 is at the upper end of slot 91 in the tubular standard 30, and this cross pin, by its connection'with sleeve 31, limits the further upwardmovement `of said sleeve. Therefore an upward movementof disk 50 with the cross pin and sleeve 3l held by standard 30 against'further movement, will necessarily lift the pins 2() at the bearing points 51, flange 47 serving as a fulcrum. Fingers 20 will therefore swing inwardly upon pivots 21 tothe gathered position under these conditions. The operator now places the stock over these gathered fingers 20, fingers 35 remaining spread to permit the stock to be so adjusted. The

- operator then takes his foot from the treadle 60, whereupon fingers 20 automatically return to a spread position by reaction of spring 55, thus distending the stock cylindrically, and stretching it to take out all folds and wrinkles before gathering it at the upper end.

After the stock has been adjusted upon Aand spread by the holding lingers 20, the

gathering fingers 35 are moved inwardly by a toggle lever 65, whichtransmits its motion to the gathering ngers through the rodv66, lever 67 and finger operating member 68. This member 68 is provided with a semicylindrical gathering head 69 and with a cupped spreading member 70. The lower ends of the fingers 35 are elbowed at 7l and angular inturned and provided with downturned extremities 7 2. The gathering head 69 isV adapted, when depressed, to bear against the inner end portions of these angular finger extensions, pressing them outwardly and causing the upper end portions of the fingers 85 to swing inwardly to the position in which they are illustrated.

When so swung inwardly following an adjustment of the stock-over the holding iingers 2O and also followingthe subsequent spreading movement of said holding fingers, as above described, the curved gathering rods 36 4will coperate with'the fingers 35 in compressing the stock, and as each of the fingers 85'is provided with a gathering rod, it is obviousthat the stock will be engaged and compressed on all sides near its upper end, the holding fingersQO serving as a form. Each of the rods`36 is in loose` hook connection with one of the gathering fingers 35 (see Fig. 5) and extends loosely through an opening 48 vin the adjacent gathering finger at the left thereof, thus spanning the spaces 'between the gathering fingers and forming, V(with the upper extremities of the gathering fingers), a continuous compression zone encircling the upper end of the stock immediately above the tips ,of the ngers 20. But when the gathering member 68 is lifted, the'upper end portions of said gathering lingers will thereupon be released from the pressure ofthe gathering head 69 and will move outwardly by gravity. They may be also moved forciblyV outwardly by the pressure of said cupped member 70 as the upward movement of member 68 is continued.

It will 'be observed that the gathering member 68 has an annular groove 75 in its lower portion, adapted to receive studs 76 carried by the shifter lever 67. The shifter 67 is pivotally connected atv 77 with the elbowed lower portion of rod 66. The rod 66 passes upwardly through the table 1 and through a guide sleeve 78 threaded in an aperture therein and provided with a cap 79 at its lower end through which rod 66 passes. A spring 80, coiled about rod 66, is interposed between this sleeve 78 and a shoulder 81 on said rod. An extension 82 of sleever78 is provided with a fixed collar 84 and below this is a loose collar 85, which encircles sleeve 78 with a cushion spring 86 interposed between it and collar 84. A pair of link posts 87 are pivotally connected with this loose collar 85 and project upwardly above the sleeve 78 and the adjusting lever 65 is pivotally fulcrumed to the upper ends of these links at 88.

When the lever 65 is swung downwardly as above explained, to force the fingers 35 to gathering position, the pivotal connection 88 between lever 65 and links 87 swings siightly past the line of centers, z'. e. the vertical center line of the pivot 89, thereby locking the lever 65 in the depressed position, since spring will tend to lift rod 66, and coInmences to lift it as soon as the pivot pin 88 crosses the line' of centers. But when the operator pullsV outwardly on lever 65, rod 66 will rst be slightly depressed until the pivot pin 88 reversely crosses said line of centers,after which the reaction of spring 80 will lift rod 66 and lever 65 to normal raised position with gathering lingers spread. Spring 86 allows collar 85 to lift when links 87 move upwardly with rod 66. The lateral swinging movement of the links will of course compensate for a portion of the upward movement. During this upward movement of the shifting lever 67, the gathering head 69 strikes the reduced end portion 54 of the post 53; lifting said post, together with the disk 50, until cross pin 90 reaches the upper endV of slot 91 in tubular standard 30. Thev adjusting lever 65 will now have been raised, and the cup member 70 will have struck the extremities 72 of fingers 85 and will have forced the upper ends of said lingers outwardly if not previously moved in that direction by gravity. Notwithstanding the fact that disk 50 is thus raised, the stock holding fingers 20 will also tend to move outwardly under the pressure of spring 55 and the upward pull of'sleeve 81 and iiange 46, for the reason that the upward moveinentof disk 50 carries with it all the movable parts above 'it until pin 90 reaches the upper end of the slot 91 in the relatively fixed tubularstandard 30. Therefore, whenever fingers 35 are spread, fingers 20 will also spread unless held in gathered position by the operation of treadle 60, to additionally lift disk 50 after cross pin 90 has reached the upper end of the slot 91. In such case disk 50 will press upon the extremities 51 of the fingers and force their upper ends inwardly against the pressure of spring 55 exerted through sleeve 31 upon the arms 45. But when the stock is present, fingers 20 will of course spread only to the extent permitted by the stock itself. v

The sewing head 100 is supported from the table 1 by a standard 101 (Fig. 10) with the upper end of which the sewing head is swiveled'to swing in a horizontal plane. Before adjusting the stock over the holding lingers 20 andgathering it, as above explained, the sewing head is swung away from operative position, its outer or free end traveling along and supporting segmental bar 102. An adjusting lever 103 is pivoted to a spring actuated sliding bar 104 mounted upon the sewing head 100, and is provided with arms 105 and 106 having rollers 107 and 108 thereon adapted to travel along the margin of the segment 102. At each end the segment 102 is provided with a raised flange or stop 109, over which the roller 107 (or 108) is adapted to engage when the head is swung to the limit of its movement in either direction. rIhe segment 102 is supported from the table by a pair of posts 113.

The sliding bar 104 to which lever 103 is pivoted, is provided with agathering wing 114. and the sewing head 100 Vis provided with a coperating wing 115. These wings are adapted to engage the stock immediately above the gathering fingers 35 and rods 36,

when the sewing head is swung to operative position after the stock has been gathered, as above explained. The wings 114 and 115 lift the marginal portions of the stock above the gathering zone so that the sewing needle 116 may pass through the stock below the margin. r1`he wing 114 bears resiliently on the stock, under pressure of the spring actuated bar 104.

The sewing mechanism may be of any ordinary construction. Motion is transmitted from the driving shaft 3 to the sewing needle 116 through the beveled gear wheels 117 and 118, telescoping shaft sections 119 and 120 (Fig. 10), eccentric 121, forked eccentric engaging bar 122 and traveler 123 (Fig. 9), which operates underneath sliding bar 104. The needle 116 is connected with the traveler 123 and adapted for sliding movement through a guide 124 formed in one of the head flanges. The needle coperates with a spring retracted oscillatory member 126 to which an ordinary loope'r (not shown) is secured. The looper member 126 is actuated against the tension of its retracting spring 127 (Fig. 7) bythe bar 122. Said bar during the final portion of theneedle actuating stroke engages and actuates a slide 129 and this carries projec# tion 130, which bears against member 126 at one side of its pivot post 131. During the retractive movement of bar 122, slide 129 is retracted by the reactionary pressure of member 126 against it. The thread .a passes from any suitable source to the needle through guides 132, 133 and 134 over the guide spool 135.

The guide 133 comprlses the hook shaped Y extremity of a resilient rod 136, the other extremity of which is coiled .around ascrewv post 137 withV an intermediate looped coil 138, whereby ksaid spring rod 136 ismade resiliently extensible. When the sewing head is swung out of operative position, the. movement of lever 103 draws upon spring rod 136 and engages the thread between the guide hook 133 and a fixed post 139 on the sewing head, thereby locking the thread.

The continued movement of the sewing head' as it swings out of operative position will thereupon pull .upon the thread a and stretch it or draw it outwardly in a straight line between the needle and the stock, and while it is thus tightlypulled, the downwardly extending margin of wing 114 draws across the thread between the needle and the stock and severs the thread at this point. The needle is thus left threaded for a subsequent operation. -It is not deemed necessary, howeveiyto describe the sewing mechanism 1n greater detail, slnce as above stated, any suitable sewing mechanism may bar 145, swingingarm 146, friction dog 147,

friction ring 22 and ring 24, fromrwhich plate 37 with the gathering and .holding fingers is supported. Lever 142 is pivoted to the under surface of the table 1 at 150 and is connected with link 143 by a pivot, pin 151. VLever 144 is provided `with a rectangular slot 153, which receives a guide" block 154, the 4latter being pivoted to the under surface of the table `1 at 155. The lever 144 is adapted to slide upon the block 154, whereby the length of the oscillatory stroke imparted to the connecting barl45 is varied withV a corresponding variation in the rotative step by stepV movement trans# initted by the ring 24. A hand operated shifter lever 160 (Figs. 1 and 5) is located upon the uppersurface of the table. By

`swinging this lever 160. flever 144 may be shifted upon the block '154, the motion of the shifting lever being transmitted through the pivot post 161 to an arm 164 below the table 1, said arm' being pivotally connected with lever 144 by link 163. The shifter lever 160 is provided with a thumb screw 162, which has threaded engagement in said lever and the lower end ofthe screw constitutes a pinV which is adapted to enter any one of a series of holes 166 in the table 1,

' is locked by an: ordinary thumb nut 167.

follows.

It has been stated that the sewing needle is operated from Vthe shaft 3- upon which the. driving pulley 4 is loosely mounted and connected with the shaft by clutch member 5, which is moved to connecting position by the treadle 10. After therdriving pulley is thus connected up, the sewing mechanism will remain Vin operation for aV predetermined interval at the Vend of which clutch member 5 will automatically move to releasing position through-the operation of a timermechanism.

The timer illustrated is' constructed as A sprocket wheel 175 is mounted upon astudshaft 176 connected with the frame 2. A chain 177 loosely encircles this sprocket wheeland vis provided with a projection 178. Once during each revolution of the sprocket wheel, this projection 178 is brought into contact with a stud A179 (Fig. 3) on the treadleoperated connecting rod 11, thereby swinging said connecting rod in the direction of the shaft 3 and allowing a depression ofarm 12 and the retraction of the main clutchas heretofore explained. 1t

has previously been stated that this clutch is thrown into motion transmitting relation when treadle is actuated to lift connecting rod 11 and arms 12 and 14, and when connecting rod 1'1 is pushed toward shaft 3,

the clutch pin of member 5 will be disen-v gaged from the driving pulley 4 by arm 14,

whiclrmoves downwardlyand retracts said pin. `Afterpin 18 has heen released from y notch 17, the Vdmvnward movement `ofarm Y end toward .pin 18. which thereupon re-A 12 carries it to the lower portion of the aperture 16. from the treadle, rod 11 moves downwardly by gravity and spring 188, draws its upper engages in notch 17. Y

The` sprocket wheel'175 isV driven from shaft 3 through the eccentric'185, eccentric operated pawl 186, and ratchet member 187, the vlatter being rigidly connected with the sprocket wheel..A Said sprocket wheel will therefore be rotated -onel 'step with? each But when pressure is removed.

revolution of shaft 3, a one step movement of the sprocket wheel being equal to the distlance between two successive ratchet test1.

-liv'hen'the clutch 5 is in releasing position, if it is desired to manually operate the sewing mechanism for any purpose, this may be done by means of a hand wheel 190 connected with the upper extremity of shaft 120.

v Briefly reviewing the operation-of the machine, it will be assumed that the needle has been suitably threaded, the sewing head adjusted out of operative position, the clutch 5 disengaged, and level' 65 in its raised position Vwith the fingers and 20 spread, and pin 90 at the upper end of slot 91. The operator will thereupon "depress treadle 60,

thus lifting rod 61 and forcing the holding lingers 2O to gathered position. The stock will thereupon be adjusted over lthese fingers, after which the pressure upon the `movement of the gathering head 69, a cross pin 192 carried thereby draws the post 62 downwardly, said cross pin passing through a slot 194 in said post and being then at the lower end of said slot, `unless said post has previously descended'by gravity. The sewing head will now be swung to operative position with Vthe gathering wings 114 and 115 engaging and lifting the upper` margins of the stock. The operator thereupon depresses treadle 10to release the clutch pin of clutch 5 and permit the same to move into operative position and connect the driving pulley 4 with shaft 3. Driving pulley 4 will be continuously driven and as soon as it is connected with shaft 3, the sewing operation will commence and continue until the timer sprocket wheel 175 has performed a complete revolution, whereupon projection 178 engages stud 179 and by pushing rod 11 out of supporting position, allows arms 12 'and 14 to descend, disengage the clutch and stopthe machine. The operator will then lmanually. actuate lever103 to shift the sewing head out of operative position, wing 114 severing the thread between the needle and the stock as above explained. Lever Vwill be then lifted.` Its initial movement permits the gathering lingers 35 to spread and its continued upward movement is transmitted through post 53 to lift the holding fngers, thus Afacilitating the removal of vthe Lever 65 will then bei prising the combination of a cap holder for tubular knit fabrics, a set of gathering fingers grouped about the cap holder and a sewing head adjustable into and out of position for sewing the upper end of a knitted fabric when mounted on the holder.

2. A knit goeds finishing machine comprising the combination of a cap holder for tubular knit fabrics, a set of gathering fingers grouped about the cap holder and a sewing headadjustable into and out of position for sewing the upper end of a knitted fabric when mounted on the holder, together with power operated mechanism for actuating the sewing devices and simultaneously rotating the holder.

3. A `knit goods finishing machine coinprising the combination of a cap holder for tubular knit fabrics, a set of gathering 1ingersgrouped about the cap holder and a sewingghead adjustable into and out of positionV for sewing the upper end of a knitted fabric when mounted on'tlie holder, said holderfbeing composed of a series of fingers having inwardly bowed upper extremities,

`andlmeans for spreading said fingers-to stretch the fabric preparatory to the gathering operation.

4L. The combination .with a supporting member kfor tubularfabrics, of an annular set of gathering fingers pivotally connected therewith and having inwardly'bowed upper end portions, sewing mechanism and a holder for Vtubular fabrics having a tapered upper end portion and adapted to coperate with the gatheringfingers in presenting the Vstock to the sewing mechanism after the gathering operation, together with means for rotating the support after the stock is presented to thesewing head. 1

5. The combination with a supporting member for tubular fabrics, of a set of gathering fingers pivotallv connected therewith and having inwardly bowed upper end por-V tions, sewing mechanism and a holder forV vtubular fabrics adapted to cooperate with j thegathering fingers in presenting the stock to the sewing mechanism after the gathering.V

oper-ation, said gathering fingers being each provided with a loosely connected gathering rod projecting laterally therefrom and loosely engaged with an adjacent gathering finger. Y f

f. 6. A finishing machine for tubular fabrics comprising the combination with an apertured table, of a ringV supported therefrom, a second ring rotatably connected with the first mentioned ring, Ya platform supported above the Vrotatable ring, a set of gathering ngers vjpiv'otally, connected with the platform and provided with inwardly'V means for spreading such fingers radially from a common vertical center line, manu.`

allyl controlled means for gathering said fingers to fabric receiving position, means` for gathering at-,ubularl fabric inclosing said holding fingers in the circular zone substantiallyat the .tips of said fingers, and Y f means for sewing said fabricv while in gath,

ered position.

8. finishing machine for tubular fab rics comprising aiset .of holding ng'ers adapted tol receive suchfabrics, resilient means for spreading such fingers radially from a common vertical centerline, inanii- 1 ally controlled means for `gathering saidfin gers to fabric.receiving`-positioii, means for gathering aitubular `fabric inciosing said holding fingers ina vcircular zone substan--,

tiallypat the tips of'sai'df-fmgers, andv means for sewing said fabricwiilein gatheredposition, said sewing meansV being removable from operativeposition .tovfacilitate adjusting the fabric over the holdingffingers.

9. Afinishing machine" for tubular fabricsV comprising the combination with a rotary support and means for Vrotatinglthe saine step by step, of a standard,a sleeve mounted f Ato move vertically on said standard, a collar encircling said sleeve,a set of fabric hold-` ing fingers pivoted to said collar and loosely engaged with said sleeve, acoiled spring ar-V i'io ranged to bear uponsaidsleeve and collar respectively to actuate them in opposite directions to swing saidholdingfingers outwardly from a common center, means for applying pressure to said VfingersY exterior to their pivotal connection with said collar to swing Vthem inwardly in opposition tof 4said spring pressure, means for gathering a iis fabric supported `by, said fingers inV an an- Y knular Zone substantiallyattheir upper ends, and power operated meansV foifsewing the gathering fabric. l e .Y 10. A finishing machine Yfor .tubular fab'- rics comprising` the combination with aro-V tary support and means for rotating the same step by step, ofa standard, a sleeve mounted toV move vertically on lsaid standard, a .callareardnssaii sleeve, estoi fabric holding lingers pivoted to said collar and loosely engaged with said sleeve, a coiled spring arranged tobear upon said sleeve and collar respectively to actuate them in opposite directions to swing said holding lingers outwardly from a common center, means for applying pressure to said fingers exterior to their-pivotal connection with said collarto swing them inwardly in opposition to said spring pressure, means for gatheringa fabric supported by said fingers in an annular zone substantially at their upper ends, and power operated means for sewing the gathering fabric and simultaneously imparting step by step rotative movements to said support.

11. A finishing machine for tubular fabrics comprising rotary fabric supporting devices, a set ot' gathering fingers pivotally supported and connected to rotate with said devices and adapted to spread into and out of gathered position, said gathering fingers having operating arms extending below their pivotal support, a gathering head adapted to engage the operating arms and swing the gathering lingers to gathering position substantially at the upper end of said supporting devices, a spreader adapted to engage said operating arms and swing the gathering lingers to spread position, and means for manually actuating the gathering head and spreader.

12. A finishing machine for tubular fabrics comprising rotary fabric supporting devices, a set of gathering fingers pivotally supported and connected to rotate with said devices and adapted to spread into and out of gathered position, said gathering lingers having operating arms extending below their pivotal support, a gathering head adapted to engage the operatingarms and swing the gathering fingers to gathering position substantially at the upper end of said supporting devices, a spreader adapted to engage ing said operating arms and Vswing the gatherngers to spread position, and means for manually actuating the gathering head and spreader, together with a sewing needle and power driven mechanism for operating the sewing needle above said gathering lingers and simultaneously rotating the hold- .ing devices and gathering lingers bodily in step by step movements coincident with the retraction of the needle. Y

13. A linishingmachine for tubular fabrics comprising rotary fabric supporting devices, a set of gathering lingers pivotally supported and connected to rotate with said devices and adapted to-spread into and'out of gathered position, said gathering lingers having operating arms extending below theirpivotal support, a gathering lieadadapted to engage the operating arms and swing the gathering lingers to gathering position substantially at the upper eadrf Said Y51110-1301@- ing devices, a spreader adapted to engage said operating arms and swing the gathering fingers to spread position, and means for manually actuating the gathering head and spreader, together with a sewing needle and power driven mechanism for operating the sewing needle above said gathering fingers and simultaneously rotating the holding devices and gathering fingers bodily in step by step movements coincident with the retraction of the needle, and means for automatically disconnecting the power upon completion of a single rotation of the holding and gathering devices.

14. The combination with a set of fabric supporting, gathering and sewing devices, of a rotatable support for said supporting and gathering devices, power driven mechanism for operating the sewing devices, a cam connected with the power driven mechanism, a lever having a fixed pivot and adapted to be swung by said cam, another lever having an adjustable fulcrum, and linked to the lirst mentioned lever and to said rotatable support respectively, and means for retracting said levers after they are actuated in one direction by the action o-f said cam.

15. A knit goods finishing machine including a set of radially movable gathering members having gathering rods projecting laterally therefrom and each loosely connected Vwith another gathering member and adapted to slide thereon, and means for actuating said gathering members inwardly and outwardly from a supported piece of fabric.

16. A knit goods finishing machine, including a swinging gathering member h1 .ving a gathering rod, projecting latera ly therefrom, in combination with a similar member having a guide loosely receiving said rod and adapted to permit the latter to slide therein, and means for actuating said gathering members inwardly and outwardly in different planes radiating from a supported piece of fabric, said gathering rod being curved substantially in the arc of a circle which extends around said fabric when the rod is in gathering position.

17. A knit goods finishing machine including a movable gathering member having a gathering rod, projecting laterally therefrom, and means for actuating said gathering member inwardly and outwardly from a supported piece of fabric, in combination with another, similar gathering member which said finger loosely engages.

18. A knit goods linishing machine including a set of movable gathering members each having a gathering rod projecting laterally therefrom, and arranged in loose sliding engagement with one of the other members, means for actuating said ,gathering .memberseverdlv ,and eut/wardly in different planes radial to the axis of a supported piece of fabric, and means for rotating said gathering member and fabric.

19. A knit goods finishing machine including a vertically movable support, a set of holding lingers pivotally connected therewith, a vertically movable rest adapted' to bear upon said holding fingers exterior to their pivotal connections with said support and adapted to press their upper ends toward a common center, means for resiliently pressing said fingers outwardly in opposition to the pressure of said rest, and means for vmanually increasing the pressure of the rest to overcome outward pressure of the fingers.

2G. A knit goods finishing machine including a vertically movable support, a set of holding fingers pivotally connected therewith, a vertically movable rest adapted to Vbear upon said holding lingers exterior to their pivotal connections with said support and adapted to press their upper ends toward a common center, means for resiliently pressing' said fingers outwardly in opposition to the pressure of said rest, and means for manually increasing the pressure of the rest to overcome outward pressure of the fingers, said manual means comprising a set of foct power connections adapted to actuate said rest.

v 21. A knit goods iinishing machine including the combination of a holder and spreader for knitted fabrics adapted to expand and contract within a tubular fabric, a. gatherer adapted to expand and contract exterior to such fabric, means for rotating the holder and gatherer, step by step, and a sewing apparatus adapted to insert stitches in the fabric in the intervals between the step by step movements.

22. A knit goods finishing machine including the combination of a holder and spreader for knitted fabrics, a gatherer, means for rotating the holder and gatherer, step by step, and a sewing apparatus adapted to insert stitches in the fabric in the intervals between 'the step by step movements, together with means for swinging the sewing apparatus out of operative position, to permit substitutions of fabrics upon the holder and spreader.

23. A knit goods finishing machine including the combination of a holder and spreader adapted to expand and contract within tubular knitted fabrics, an exterior expansible and contractible gatherer, means for rotating the holder and gatherer, step by step, and a sewing apparatus adapted to insert stitches in the fabric in the intervals between the step by step movements, together with means for automatically limiting said step by step movements.

24a A knit goods vfinishing machine in- Gluding the combination of a holder and masses spreader adapted to, expand and contract within tubular knitted fabrics, an exterior gatherer, means for rotating the holderand gatherer, stepby step, and a sewing .apparatus adapted to insert stitches 1n the ram-1e in the intervals between the step by step movements, together with power operated driving connections for imparting said step by step movements to the holder and gatherer, manuallycontrolledmeans for connectand gatherer, manually controlled means for connecting upsaid drivingconnections, .and automatic means for disengaging said connections after a predetermined number of step by step movements, said connecting and disconnecting means comprising a shifting clutch member, clutch shifting members adapted for manual operation, a rotary member. actuated from the'connections controlled by the clutch, and a strikerA Ycarried by the rotary member and adapted to actuate the clutch shifting members'once dur-- ing each revolution of the rotary member.

26. A knit goods finishing machine including the combination of an interior, upwardly tapered, vertically adjustable'holder and spreader for knitted fabrics', a gatherer adapted to contract the fabric above the tapered end of the holder, means for rotating Y' by step movements, and means for adjust-v ably regulating the length of the step by step movements.

27. A knit goods finishing machine including the combination of a. holder and spreader for knitted fabrics, a gatherer, means for rotating the holder and gatherer, step by step, anda sewing apparatus adapted to insert stitches in the fabric in the intervals between the step bystep movements, together with manually controlled means for spreading and contracting the gatherer, automatic means for simultaneously spreading the holder, and manually controlled means for independently gathering the holder.

28. knit goods finishing machine including the combination of 'aholderV and spreader4 for knitted fabrics, aV gatherer',

iin

means for rotating the holder and gatherer, step by step, and a sewing apparatus adapted to insert stitches in the fabric in the intervals between the step by step movements, together with manually controlled means for spreading and contracting the gatherer, automatic means for simultaneously spreading the holder, and manually controlled means for independently gathering the holder, said gatherer, when contracted to gathering posi- -d tion being also adapted to simultaneously gather the holder, and a piece of fabric thereon.

29. A knit goods linishing machine, including a vertically movable device provided with a gathering head and a spreading member, a set of gathering lingers pivotally supported intermediate of their ends and having their end portions at one side of the pivots extended into the path of said head and member, and means for manually operating said device from a neutral position to bring either the head or the spreading member into contact with said linger portions.

30. A knit goods finishing machine including holding and gathering devices, in combination with sewing apparatus, a pivotal support for one end of said apparatus, a segmental support for the other end thereof, thread guides on said apparatus, and a thread gripper adapted to engage and hold a sewing thread when said apparatus Y V1s swung upon said pivot, whereby said thread may be severed between the gripper and the stock.

3l. A knit goods finishing machine including holding and gathering devices, in combination with sewing apparatus, a pivotal support for one end of said apparatus, a segmental support for the other end thereof, thread guides on said apparatus, and a thread gripper adapted to engage and hold a sewing thread when said apparatus is swung upon said pivot, whereby said thread may be severed between the gripper and the stock, together with a thread severing arm carried by said apparatus, adapted to engage and sever the thread as it draws away from the stock, when the carrier is swung, substantially as described.

32. A knit goods finishing machine, including radially swinging holding and gathering devices, in combination with a relatively stationary ring, a rotative ring carried thereby and upon which the gathering devices are mounted, a Vone-way clutch Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the adapted to actuate said ring, and means for reciprocating said clutch.

83. A knit goods finishing machine, including holding and gathering devices, in combination with a table, through which said devices project, a relatively stationary ring supported from the table underneath the same, a rotative ring carried by the stationary ring and upon which the gathering evices are mounted, a one-way clutch adapted to actuate said rotary ring, and means for reciprocating said clutch, com- Y prising a clutch actuating lever fulcrumed to the under surface of the table, a link connecting the lever with the clutch, means for reciprocating said lever, and means for varying the length of the stroke imparted by said lever to the clutch.

34. A knit goods finishing machine, including interior and exterior sets of holding and gathering lingers, in combination with a relatively stationary ring, a rotative ring carried thereby and from which the fingers are supported, a one-way clutch adapted to actuate said ring, and means for reciprocating said clutch, comprising a horizontally swinging clutch actuating lever, a link connecting the lever with the clutch means for reciprocating said lever from the source of machine power, means for vertically shifting one of said sets of fingers relatively to the other and means for manually shifting the relative position of the lever upon its fulcrum.

35. A knit goods finishing machine, including interior and exterior sets of holding and gathering devices, in combination with a relatively stationary ring, a rotative ring carried thereby and supporting said holding and gathering devices, a one-way clutch adapted to actuate said ring, and means for reciprocating said clutch, comprising a clutch actuating lever, a link connecting the lever with the clutch, means for reciprocating said lever from the source of machine power, and means for manually shifting the relative position of the lever upon its fulcrum, said lever being slotted, and said fulcrum comprising a pivoted block fitted to said slot.

In testimony whereof I aliix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JAMES WILSON.

Witnesses:

LEVERETT C. WHEELER, IRMA D. BREMER.

Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

